RedPROMAR has recently participated in two important national and international scientific meetings focused on the study and management of invasive alien species (IAS). These meetings have made it possible to share the Canary Islands' experience in the early detection and collaborative monitoring of invasive alien marine species, highlighting the key role of citizen science.

➢     I International Workshop on Rugulopteryx okamurae (Malaga, April 2025)

From 7 to 10 April, we attended the I International Workshop on the Invasive Seaweed Rugulopteryx okamurae held in Malaga, organised by the International University of Andalusia (UNIA), the Special Research Support Centre (CEAI) and the UNIA-UICN Chair in Nature Conservation.

This international forum brought together researchers, managers and organisations involved in the fight against this invasive alga, addressing both scientific knowledge and the difficulties of its management in several regions.

RedPROMAR presented the paper: "Management strategies and early detection of the silent expansion of the seaweed Rugulopteryx okamurae in the Canary Islands", in which aspects such as the current situation of the species in the archipelago, the socio-economic impacts detected and the monitoring actions promoted by the Government of the Canary Islands were addressed, highlighting the importance of marine citizen science through RedPROMAR.

➢    II Iberian Congress and VII National Congress on IAS (Murcia, May 2025)

From 28 to 30 May we participated in the leading conference on invasive alien species in Spain and Portugal, held at the Auditorio Víctor Villegas in Murcia, and organised by the GEIB, University of Murcia, Region of Murcia and MITERD, among others.

This meeting brought together more than 320 people involved in biodiversity conservation, ecosystem health and social well-being in the face of biological invasions.

RedPROMAR presented:

• The paper: "The key role of citizen science in the detection and monitoring of marine alien species: the RedPROMAR in the Canary Islands"
• A scientific poster on this subject, which can be viewed in the Downloadable section of our website.

Commitment to early detection and marine conservation

Our participation in these forums reinforces RedPROMAR's commitment to early detection, collaborative monitoring and conservation of the Canarian marine environment in the face of emerging threats such as invasive alien species.

This project is co-funded by the European Union as part of the Canary Islands ERDF Programme 2021-2027.